Is Tele exp. helpful while trying to apply for ICU positions?

U.S.A. Texas

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi all,

I've been an RN on Tele/ICU step-down floor for nearly a year and half now. Currently I work in Southeast Texas and am looking to move to Houston in March. I really hope to get an ICU position in the Texas Medical Center. While I was job hunting as a new grad back in 2009, I was told by a nurse recruiter that tele experience is helpful if one day I wish to work in the ICU; however, I feel at a disadvantage without any prior ICU experience. All the ICU nurses out there, do you see new hires without prior ICU experiences?

Thanks! :nurse:

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Howdy! I'm glad you're heading our way - we can always use more experienced nurses here in H-town.

The value of your experience would depend upon the types of patients you have been caring for. Not all 'step down' units are alike because not all ICU's are the same. I would advise you to make sure your resume includes enough detail to describe the type of patient care you can do. What equipment? What drips? Any ventilators?

Also - please do not focus your job hunt entirely on the Medical Center. Although those hospitals are certainly prestigious, they are not very generous with training programs these days. We have a ton of really great suburban hospitals that you should consider - and you don't have to deal with the traffic and parking issues that go along with TMC jobs.

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi HouTX,

Thanks for your good advice. I am working on my resume now and I will do as you suggested- make it detailed and show the potential employers what I have been doing on my job. For example, instead of simply saying "patients requiring continuous cardiac monitoring," I would list more detailed patient population: chest pain/MI, pre-/post- CABG, angioplasty, cath lab, heart failure, etc.

I would consider hospitals in the suburbs- actually I am planning to move to Sugar Land or Katy; I would rather work within the city I live in at first. Learning the metro area and fighting the rush hour at the very beginning would be too overwhelming for me.

Thanks again for your reply. I will keep you posted on my job search. :nurse:

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

Yes, Methodist just opened in Katy.

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